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Politics

Trump’s Georgia rally is notable for who attended — and who did not

By
March 9, 2024

ROME — The speaking lineup for Donald Trump’s Georgia rally was a cheat sheet of the former president’s most favored loyalists. Just as notable was who skipped the event entirely.

Former U.S. Sen. David Perdue and former U.S. Rep. Doug Collins — both Trump allies who suffered defeats during the last two election cycles — gave pep talks to the crowd.

So did several leading members of the state’s new generation of MAGA adherents. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, U.S. Rep. Mike Collins and Brian Jack, a congressional candidate, all revved up the Rome audience.

Missing from the event were some of the state’s most prominent mainstream Republicans. Gov. Brian Kemp hasn’t attended a Trump event in years amid a public feud, though they’ve found recently found common political cause.

Also not in attendance: Attorney General Chris Carr, Insurance Commissioner John King and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. The trio, along with Kemp, were challenged by Trump-backed opponents in 2022. All four incumbents easily won.

Supporters wait in line for a security check outside a rally for Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump at Forum River Center in Rome on Saturday, March 9, 2024. (Arvin Temkar / arvin.temkar@ajc.com)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

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Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

About the Author

Greg Bluestein is a political reporter who covers the governor's office and Georgia politics.

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